Deval Patrick said expanding access to similar programs statewide would lay the groundwork for economic development by boosting children's academic readiness.

Patrick's proposed fiscal 2014 budget calls for $131 million in new funding for the early-education and care system, part of an education and transportation package he wants to see funded by a reconfiguration of state taxes.

"If we are able to make the investments I proposed, we're going to see such explosive growth in the commonwealth, and it's such an exciting time," Patrick said. "I'm very confident about our future, if we make those investments."

The money would be used in part to provide subsidies so the approximately 30,000 families currently on a waiting list could access preschool programs.

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It would also support initiatives to engage parents and to provide more professional development and offer higher pay rates, with the intent of attracting better-trained teachers and improving education quality.

CTI Early Learning Director Chris Hunt said many of Patrick's goals align with programs already offered at the group's three early-learning centers. One shared aim is higher compensation for educators.

A nonprofit that serves low-income families, Hunt said, can't provide its teachers with the same salary they'd earn in the public school system.

"They could also be clients of CTI, with what they make, which is not where we want them to be," he said. "They do a lot of hard work and they are making the next generation better."

Under the governor's $34.8 billion budget, Lowell would get an extra $575,000 for early literacy and kindergarten readiness, $3.64 million for support services to children and families, and $1 million for "innovative practices to close achievement gaps."

The Lowell Public Schools, UMass Lowell and Middlessex Community College would all see multimillion-dollar jumps in state funding.

The city would also receive $2.8 million in transportation funds, an increase of nearly $1 million from 2013, with the extra money going toward bridge repairs and resurfacing projects.

"There are 2,500 kids here in Lowell who are on wait lists for early-education programs just like this," Patrick said after reading to preschoolers at Children's Corner. "There are unmet needs in bridges and roads and rail in Lowell as well. The frequency and the modernity of commuter rail and so forth, all of that is improved with this investment, and all of that is essential for a leading-edge economy."

When he arrived at the seven-classroom facility, Patrick met with teachers, parents, CTI board members and community leaders including City Manager Bernie Lynch for a roundtable discussion on the importance of early education.

"Mostly I was listening," Patrick said after the closed-door talk. "The parents and the teachers here were talking about the impact on the children, the impact on those parents' lives, of having access to CTI, both in terms of what it does for the children's readiness for school, but also some of the parents are learning parenting skills."

Meghan Adams, Community Teamwork's assistant director of early learning, said Patrick likened an investment in early education to the commitment earlier generations made in building the nation's highways.

"Right now the early education and care that we're giving to our children is building their brains, to give them a future and the tools to be successful adults in our community," Adams said.

The revenue required for Patrick's transportation and education initiatives would come from a tax plan that would raise the state income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent, while dropping the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent. His tax proposal also looks to eliminate 44 exemptions and deductions.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo has said the House is committed to finding new revenue, but will seek a package with a much smaller price tag.

Although the proposed reforms have generated mixed reactions from legislators and business leaders, Patrick said there is "broad consensus" on Beacon Hill that spending on education and transportation is the right move.

"In a given community, someone might say, 'Let's do that bridge before we do this bridge,' " he said. "But the idea of investing in roads, rails and bridges and modernizing the transportation system and making college affordable and getting kids off the wait list for early ed, there's a lot of consensus there, and that means we're halfway home."

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